Fulham or Everton?

Wednesday 17 April 2002

Everton defender Steve Watson insists The Toffees are determined to stay above The Cottagers and clinch a place in the Intertoto Cup.

In a complicated application procedure, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Ipswich all applied to enter the competition at the third round stage. With Chelsea and Newcastle already guaranteed European football through their league positions, Villa look set to snatch that place.

But Fulham, Everton, Leeds and Derby all applied to enter the cup at the second round stage, and with Leeds also guaranteed a place in the UEFA Cup and Derby unable to overturn their points difference on Everton, the battle is now a two-horse race between Jean Tigana's men and the Merseysiders.

And although The Cottagers have a game in hand to make up their three-point deficit on David Moyes's side, Watson insists Everton are determined to grab that final spot.

He said: "It's between us and Fulham - whoever finishes higher in the league is in there.

"The lads haven't really had time to take it in yet, but of course any player worth his salt wants to play in Europe."